Cleveland, OK — With $1,000 on the line for the biggest catfish caught in the Cleveland Catfish Festival and another $500 for the runner up, friends Nathan Williams and Dillon Simpson decided to forego the rod and reel route and jumped in the North Canadian River to try and “noodle” their way into the money.

The pair handfished and landed a 53-pound flathead and another 47 pounder — 100 pounds of whiskerfish and $1,500 worth of prize money. A 37-pounder took third place and was caught using traditional tackle.

After the weigh in and pay day, Williams and Simpson released their prize winning catches back into the river near where they caught them. Maybe they’ll be back next year for another go!